Bible in 90 Days
20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore [a]afraid because of the words of Samuel, so that there was no strength in him: for he had eaten no bread all the day nor all the night.
21 Then the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, See, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I [b]have put my soul in mine hand, and have obeyed thy words which thou saidest unto me.
22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee, that thou mayest eat and get thee strength, and go on thy journey.
23 But he refused and said, I will not eat: but his servants and the woman together compelled him, and he obeyed their voice: so he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.
24 Now the woman had a fat calf in the house, and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked of it [c]unleavened bread.
25 Then she brought them before Saul, and before his servants: and when they had eaten, they stood up, and went away the same night.
29 4 The princes of the Philistines cause David to be sent back from the battle against Israel, because they distrusted him.
1 So the Philistines were gathered together with all their armies in Aphek: and the Israelites pitched [d]by the fountain, which is in Jezreel.
2 And the [e]princes of the Philistines went forth by [f]hundreds and thousands, but David and his men came behind with Achish.
3 Then said the Princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David the servant of Saul the King of Israel, who hath been with me these days, [g]or these years, and I have found nothing in him, since he [h]dwelt with me unto this day?
4 But the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him, and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, (A)Send this fellow back, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest that in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he obtain the favor of his master? should it not be with the [i]heads of these men?
5 Is not this David, of whom they sang in dances, saying, (B)Saul slew his thousand, and David his ten thousand?
6 ¶ Then Achish called David, and said unto him, As the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright and good in my sight, when thou [j]wentest out and in with me in the host, neither have I found evil with thee, since thou camest to me unto this day, but [k]the princes do not favor thee.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the princes of the Philistines.
8 ¶ And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant as long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may [l]not go and fight against the enemies of my Lord the King?
9 Achish then answered and said to David, I know thou pleasest me as an Angel of God: but the princes of the Philistines have said, Let him not go up with us to battle.
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy [m]master’s servants that are come with thee: and when ye be up early, as soon as ye have light, depart.
11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, and to return into the land of the Philistines: and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
30 1 The Amalekites burn Ziklag. 5 David’s two wives are taken prisoners. 6 The people would stone him. 8 He asketh counsel of the Lord, and pursuing his enemies recovereth the prey. 24 He divideth it equally, 26 And sendeth part to his friends.
1 But when David and his men were come to Ziklag [n]the third day, the Amalekites had invaded upon the South, even unto Ziklag, and had [o]smitten Ziklag, and burnt it with fire,
2 And had taken the women that were therein, prisoners, both small and great, and slew not a man, but carried them away, and went their ways.
3 ¶ So David and his men came to the city, and behold, it was burnt with fire, and their [p]wives and their sons, and their daughters were taken prisoners.
4 Then David and the people that were with him, lift up their voices and wept, until they could weep no more.
5 David’s two wives were taken prisoners also, Ahinoam the Jezreelite, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was in great sorrow: for the people [q]intended to stone him, because the hearts of all the people were vexed every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David comforted himself in the Lord his God.
7 ¶ And David said to Abiathar the Priest Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me the Ephod. And Abiathar brought the Ephod to David.
8 Then David asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I follow after this company? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Follow: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and [r]recover all.
9 ¶ So David and the six hundred men that were with him, went, and came to the river Besor, where a part of them abode:
10 But David and four hundred men followed (for two hundred abode behind, being too weary to go over the river Besor.)
11 And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him [s]bread, and he did eat, and they gave him water to drink.
12 Also they gave him a few figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water in three days, and three nights.
13 ¶ And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, and servant to an Amalekite: and my master left me three days ago because I fell sick.
14 We roved upon the South of Chereth, and upon the coast belonging to Judah, and upon the South of Caleb, and we burnt Ziklag with fire.
15 And David said unto him, Canst thou bring me to this company? And he said, [t]Swear unto me by God, that thou will neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee to this company.
16 ¶ And when he had brought him thither, behold, they lay scattered abroad upon all the earth, [u]eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great prey that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
17 And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening [v]of the next morrow, so that there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken: also David rescued his two wives.
19 And they lacked nothing, small or great, son or daughter, or of the spoil of all that they had taken away: David recovered them all.
20 David also took all the sheep, and the oxen, and they drove them before his cattle, and said, This is David’s [w]prey.
21 ¶ And David came to the two hundred men that were too weary for to follow David: whom they had made also to abide at the river Besor: and they came to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: so when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
22 Then answered all the evil and wicked of the men that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, therefore will we give them none of the prey that we have recovered, save to every man his [x]wife and his children: therefore let them carry them away and depart.
23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the Lord hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us, into our hands.
24 For who will obey you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be, that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 [y]So from that day forward he made it a statute and a law in Israel, until this day.
26 ¶ When David therefore came to Ziklag, he sent of the prey unto the Elders of Judah and to his friends, saying, See there is a blessing for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.
27 He sent to them of Bethel, and to them of South Ramoth, and to them of Jattir,
28 And to them of Aroer, and to them of Siphmoth, and to them of Eshtemoa,
29 And to them of Rachal, and to them of the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to them of the cities of the Kenites,
30 And to them of Hormah, and to them of Chorashan, and to them of Athach,
31 And to them of Hebron, and [z]to all the places where David and his men had haunted.
31 4 Saul killeth himself. 6 His children are slain in the battle. 12 The men of Jabesh took down his body, which was hanged on the wall.
1 Now (C)the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled away from the Philistines, and they fell down [aa]wounded in mount Gilboa.
2 And the Philistines pressed sore upon Saul and his sons, and slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua Saul’s sons.
3 And when the battle went sore against Saul, the archers and bowmen [ab]hit him, and he was sore [ac]wounded of the archers.
4 Then said Saul unto his armor bearer, [ad]Draw out thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest the uncircumcised come and thrust me through and mock me: but his armor bearer would not, for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell upon it.
5 And when his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men that same day together.
7 ¶ And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the [ae]valley, and they of the other side [af]Jordan saw that the men of Israel were put to flight, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they left the cities, and ran away: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8 ¶ And on the morrow when the Philistines were come to spoil them that were slain, they found Saul and his three sons lying in mount Gilboa,
9 And they cut off his head, and stripped him out of his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines on every side, that they should [ag]publish it in the temple of their idols, and among the people.
10 And they laid up his armor in the house of Ashtoreth, but they hanged up his body on the wall of Beth Shan.
11 ¶ When the inhabitants of [ah]Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 Then they arose (as many as were strong men) and went all night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Beth Shan, and came to Jabesh, and (D)burnt them there,
13 And took their bones and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, (E)and [ai]fasted seven days.
The Second Book of Samuel
1 4 It was told David of Saul’s death. 15 He causeth him to be slain that brought the tidings. 19 He lamenteth the death of Saul and Jonathan.
1 After the death of Saul, when David was returned from the (F)slaughter of the Amalekites, and had been two days in Ziklag,
2 Behold, a man came the third day out of the host from Saul with [aj]his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and when he came to David, he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.
3 Then David said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the host of Israel I am escaped.
4 And David said unto him, What is done? I pray thee, tell me. Then he said, that the people is fled from the battle, and many of the people are overthrown, and dead, and also Saul and Jonathan his son are dead.
5 And David said unto the young man that told it him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
6 Then the young man that told him, answered, [ak]As I came to mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear, and lo, the chariots and [al]horsemen followed hard after him.
7 And when he looked back, he saw me, and called me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an [am]Amalekite.
9 Then said he unto me, I pray thee,[an]come upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my [ao]life is yet whole in me.
10 So [ap]I came upon him, and slew him, and because I was sure that he could not live, after that he had fallen, I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and brought them hither unto my lord.
11 Then David took hold on his clothes, (G)and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him.
12 And they mourned and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel, because they were slain with the sword.
13 ¶ [aq]Afterward David said unto the young man that told it him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger an Amalekite.
14 And David said unto him, (H)How wast thou not afraid, to put forth thine hand to destroy the Anointed of the Lord?
15 Then David called one of his young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.
16 Then said David unto him, [ar]Thy blood be upon thine own head: for thine own mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s Anointed.
17 ¶ Then David mourned with this lamentation over Saul, and over Jonathan his son,
18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah to [as]shoot, as it is written in the book of (I)[at]Jasher.)
19 O noble Israel, [au]he is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty overthrown!
20 (J)Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, upon you be neither dew nor rain, nor [av]be there fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is cast down, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22 The bow of Jonathan never turned back, neither did the sword of Saul return empty from the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty.
23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their deaths they were not [aw]divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, which clothed you in scarlet, [ax]with pleasures, and hanged ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
25 How were the mighty slain in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.
26 Woe is me for thee, my brother Jonathan: very kind hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of [ay]women: how are the mighty overthrown, and the weapons of war destroyed!
2 1 David is anointed King in Hebron. 9 Abner maketh Ishbosheth King over Israel. 15 The battle of the servants of David and Ishbosheth. 32 The burial of Asahel.
1 After this, David [az]asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go? He then answered, Unto [ba]Hebron.
2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite.
3 And David brought up the men that were with [bb]him, every man with his household, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.
4 ¶ Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David King over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, (K)that the men of Jabesh Gilead buried Saul.
5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said unto them, Blessed are ye of the Lord, that ye have showed such kindness unto your lord Saul, that you have buried him.
6 Therefore now the Lord show mercy and [bc]truth unto you: and I will recompense you this benefit, because ye have done this thing.
7 Therefore now let your hands be strong, and be you valiant: albeit your master Saul be dead, yet nevertheless the house of Judah hath anointed me [bd]King over them.
8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner that was captain of Saul’s host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him to Mahanaim,
9 And made him King over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over [be]all Israel.
10 Ishbosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years: but the house of Judah followed David.
11 (And the time which David reigned in Hebron over the house of Judah, was seven years and six [bf]months.)
12 ¶ And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul went out of Mahanaim to Gibeon.
13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David went out and met one another by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
14 Then Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and [bg]play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
15 Then there arose and went over twelve of Benjamin by number, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.
16 And every one caught his [bh]fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side, so they fell down together: wherefore the place was called [bi]Helkath Hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.
17 And the battle was exceedingly sore that same day: for Abner and the men of Israel [bj]fell before the servants of David.
18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was as light on foot as a wild roe.
19 And Asahel followed after Abner, and in going he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from Abner.
20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, Yea.
21 Then Abner said, Turn thee either to the right hand or to the left, and take one of the young men, and take thee his [bk]weapons: and Asahel would not depart from him.
22 And Abner said to Asahel, Depart from me: [bl]wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I be able to hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
23 And when he would not depart, Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the [bm]fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him: and he fell down there, and died in his place. And as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down, and died, stood still.
24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and were on an heap, and stood on the top of an hill.
26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the [bn]sword devour forever? knowest thou not, that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long then shall it be, or thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
27 And Joab said, As God liveth, if thou hadst not [bo]spoken, surely even in the morning the people had departed every one back from his brother.
28 ¶ So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they anymore.
29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the [bp]plain, and went over Jordan, and past through all Bithron till they came [bq]to Mahanaim.
30 Joab also returned back from Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David’s servants nineteen men, and Asahel.
31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner’s men, so that three [br]hundred and threescore men died.
32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulcher of his father, which was in Bethlehem: and Joab and his men went all night, and when they came to Hebron, the day arose.
3 1 Long war between the houses of Saul and David. 2 The children of David in Hebron. 12 Abner turneth to David. 27 Joab killeth him.
1 There was then [bs]long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker.
2 ¶ And unto David were children born in Hebron: and his eldest son was Amnon of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess,
3 And his second, was [bt]Chileab of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite: and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur,
4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith: and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital:
5 And the sixth, Ithream by Eglah David’s wife: these were born to David in [bu]Hebron.
6 ¶ Now while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner made all his power for the house of Saul.
7 And Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in to my father’s concubine?
8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a [bv]dog’s head, which against Judah do show mercy this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his neighbors, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me this day with a fault concerning this woman?
9 [bw]So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the Lord hath sworn to David, even so I do to him,
10 To remove the kingdom from the house of Saul, that the throne of David may be established over Israel, and over Judah, even from Dan to Beersheba.
11 And he durst no more answer to Abner: for he feared him.
12 ¶ Then Abner sent messengers to David [bx]on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? who should also say, Make covenant with me, and behold, mine hand shall be with thee, to bring all Israel unto thee.
13 Who said, Well, I will make a covenant with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, that thou see not my face, except thou bring Michal Saul’s daughter when thou comest to see me.
14 ¶ Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I married for (L)an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.
15 And Ishbosheth sent, and took her from her husband (M)Paltiel the son of Laish.
16 And her husband went with her, and came weeping behind her, unto Bahurim: then said Abner unto him, Go, and return. So he returned.
17 ¶ And Abner had [by]communication with the Elders of Israel, saying, Ye fought for David in times past, that he might be your King.
18 Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, and out of the hands of all their enemies.
19 Also Abner spake [bz]to Benjamin, and afterward Abner went to speak with David in Hebron, concerning all that Israel was content with, and the whole [ca]house of Benjamin.
20 So Abner came to David to Hebron, having twenty men with him, and David made a feast unto Abner, and to the men that were with him.
21 Then Abner said unto David, I will rise up, and go gather all Israel unto my lord the King, that they may make a covenant with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. Then David let Abner depart, who went [cb]in peace.
22 ¶ And behold, the servants of David and Joab came [cc]from the camp, and brought a great prey with them (but Abner was not with David in Hebron: for he had sent him away, and he departed in peace.)
23 When Joab, and all the host that was with him were come, men told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the King, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace.
24 Then Joab came to the King, and said, [cd]What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee, why hast thou sent him away, and he is departed?
25 Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner: for he came to deceive thee, and to know thy outgoing and ingoing, and to know all that thou doest.
26 ¶ And when Joab was gone out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah unknowing to David.
27 And when Abner was come again to Hebron, (N)Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him [ce]peaceably, and smote him under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of (O)Asahel his brother.
28 ¶ And when afterward it came to David’s ear, he said, I and my Kingdom are [cf]guiltless before the Lord forever, concerning the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
29 Let the blood fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house, that the house of Joab be never without some that have running issues, or leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that doeth fall on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
30 (So Joab and [cg]Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle.)
31 And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rent your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourn [ch]before Abner: and King David himself followed the bier.
32 And when they had buried Abner in Hebron, the King lift up his voice, and wept beside the sepulcher of Abner, and all the people wept.
33 And the King lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner [ci]as a fool dieth?
34 Thine hands were not bound, nor thy feet tied in fetters of brass: but as a man falleth before wicked men, so didst thou fall. And all the people wept again for him.
35 Afterward all the people came to cause David eat [cj]meat while it was yet day, but David swore, saying, So do God to me and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else till the sun be down.
36 And all the people knew it, and it [ck]pleased them: as whatsoever the King did, pleased all the people.
37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day, how that it was not the King’s deed that Abner the son of Ner was slain.
38 And the King said unto his servants, Know ye not, that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?
39 And I am this day weak and newly anointed King: and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too [cl]hard for me: the Lord reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
4 5 Baanah and Rechab slay Ishbosheth the son of Saul. 12 David commandeth them to be slain.
1 And when Saul’s [cm]son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, then his hands were [cn]feeble, and all Israel was afraid,
2 And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the one called Baanah, and the other called Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite of the children of Benjamin: (for [co]Beeroth was reckoned to Benjamin,
3 Because the Beerothites fled to [cp]Gittaim, and sojourned there, unto this day.)
4 And Jonathan Saul’s son had a son that was lame on his feet: he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Israel: then his nurse took him, and fled away. And as she made haste to flee, the child fell, and began to halt, and his name was Mephibosheth.
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah went and came in the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth (who slept on a bed at noon.)
6 And behold, Rechab and Baanah his brother came into the midst of the house, as they [cq]would have wheat, and they [cr]smote him under the fifth rib, and fled.
7 For when they came into the house, he slept on his bed in his bed chamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and got them away through the [cs]plain all the night.
8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth Saul’s son thine enemy, who sought after thy life: and the Lord hath avenged my Lord the King this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 Then David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath delivered my soul out of all adversity,
10 When one (P)told me, and said that Saul was dead, (thinking to have brought good tidings) I took him and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How [ct]much more when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house, and upon his bed? shall I not now therefore require his blood at your hand, and take you from the earth?
12 Then David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron: but they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of (Q)Abner in Hebron.
5 3 David is made King over all Israel. 7 He taketh the fort of Zion. 19 He asketh counsel of the Lord. 23 And overcometh the Philistines twice.
1 Then (R)came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and said thus, Behold, we are thy [cu]bones and thy flesh.
2 And in time past when Saul was our King, thou leddest Israel in and out: and the Lord hath said to thee, (S)Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the Elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron: and King David made a covenant with them in Hebron [cv]before the Lord, and they anointed David King over Israel.
4 ¶ David was thirty years old when he began to reign: and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah (T)seven years, and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 ¶ The King also and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: who spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the [cw]blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking that David could not come thither:
7 But David took the fort of Zion: this is the city of David.
8 Now David had said the same day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites, and getteth up to the gutters and smiteth the lame and blind, which David’s soul hateth, I will prefer him: (U)therefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not [cx]come into that house.
9 So David dwelt in that fort, and called it the city of David, and David built round about it, from [cy]Millo, and inward.
10 And David prospered and grew: for the Lord God of hosts was with him.
11 ¶ Hiram also king of [cz]Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons for walls: and they built David an house.
12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him King over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.
13 And David took him more (V)concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.
14 (W)And these be the names of the sons, that were born unto him in Jerusalem, Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
15 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 ¶ (X)But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David: and when David heard, he went down to a fort.
18 But the Philistines came, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19 Then David [da]asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hands? And the Lord answered David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hands.
20 ¶ (Y)Then David came to Baal Perazim, and smote them there, and said, The Lord hath divided mine enemies asunder before me, as waters be divided asunder: therefore he called the name of that place, [db]Baal Perazim.
21 And there they left their images, and David and his men (Z)burnt them.
22 Again the Philistines came up, and spread themselves in the valley of [dc]Rephaim.
23 And when David asked counsel of the Lord, he answered, Thou shalt not go up, but turn about behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24 And when thou hearest the noise of one going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then remove: for then shall the Lord go out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
25 Then David did so as the Lord had commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba, until thou come to [dd]Gezer.
6 3 The Ark is brought forth of the house of Abinadab. 7 Uzzah is stricken, and dieth. 14 David danceth before it, 16 and is therefore despised of his wife Michal.
1 Again David gathered together all the [de]chosen men of Israel, even thirty thousand
2 (AA)And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from [df]Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of God, whose Name is called by the Name of the Lord of hosts, that dwelleth upon it between the Cherubims.
3 And they put the Ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, that was in [dg]Gibeah. And Uzzah and Ahio the sons of Abinadab did drive the new cart.
4 And when they brought the Ark of God out of the house of (AB)Abinadab, that was at Gibeah, Ahio went before the Ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel [dh]played before the Lord on all instruments made of fir, and on harps, and on Psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6 ¶ (AC)And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put his hand to the Ark of God, and held it: for the oxen did shake it.
7 And the Lord was very wroth with Uzzah, and God [di]smote him in the same place for his fault, and there he died by the Ark of God.
8 And David was displeased because the Lord had [dj]smitten Uzzah: and he called the name of the place [dk]Perez Uzzah until this day.
9 Therefore David that day feared the Lord, and said, How shall the Ark of the Lord come to me?
10 So David would not bring the Ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David, but David carried it into the house of Obed-Edom [dl]a Gittite.
11 And the Ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite, three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom, and all his household.
12 And one told King David, saying, (AD)The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath, because of the Ark of God: therefore David went and [dm]brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom, into the city of David with gladness.
13 And when they that bare the Ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he offered an ox, and a fat beast.
14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, and was girded with a linen [dn]Ephod.
15 So David and all the house of Israel brought the Ark of the Lord with shouting, and sound of trumpet.
16 And as the Ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw King David leap, and dance before the Lord, and she [do]despised him in her heart.
17 And when they had brought in the Ark of the Lord, they set it in his place, in the midst of the Tabernacle that David had pitched for it: then David offered burnt offerings, and peace offerings before the Lord.
18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he (AE)blessed the people in the Name of the Lord of hosts,
19 And gave among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a piece of flesh, and a bottle of wine: so all the people departed every one to his house.
20 ¶ Then David returned to [dp]bless his house, and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, O how glorious was the King of Israel this day, which was uncovered today in the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a [dq]fool uncovereth himself!
21 Then David said unto Michal, [dr]It was before the Lord, which chose me rather than thy father, and all his house, and commanded me to be ruler over the people of the Lord, even over Israel: and therefore will I play before the Lord,
22 And will yet be more vile than thus, and will be low in mine own sight, and of the very same maidservants, which thou hast spoken of, shall I be had in honor.
23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had [ds]no child unto the day of her death.
7 2 David would build God an house, but is forbidden by the Prophet Nathan. 8 God putteth David in mind of his benefits. 12 He promiseth continuance of his kingdom and posterity.
1 Afterward (AF)when the King sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies,
2 The King said unto Nathan the Prophet, Behold, now I dwell in an house of cedar trees, and the Ark of God remaineth within the [dt]curtains.
3 Then Nathan said unto the king, Go, and do all that is in thine heart: for the Lord is with thee.
4 ¶ And the same night the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying,
5 Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, [du]Shalt thou build me an house for my dwelling?
6 For I have dwelt in no house since the time that I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt unto this day, but have walked in a tent and Tabernacle.
7 In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel, spake I one [dv]word with any of the tribes of Israel when I commanded the Judges to feed my people Israel? or said I, Why build ye not me an house of cedar trees?
8 Now therefore so say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, (AG)I took thee from the sheepcote following the sheep, that thou mightest be ruler over my people, over Israel.
9 And I was with thee wheresoever thou hast walked, and have destroyed all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a [dw]great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 (Also I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant it, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move [dx]no more, neither shall wicked people trouble them anymore as beforetime,
11 And since the time that I set Judges over my people of Israel) and I will give thee rest from all thine enemies: also the Lord telleth thee, that he will make thee an house.
12 (AH)And when thy days be fulfilled, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy body, and will establish his kingdom.
13 (AI)He shall build an house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 (AJ)I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and if he (AK)sin, I will chasten him with the [dy]rod of men, and with the plagues of the children of men.
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul whom I have put away before thee.
16 And thine house shall be established and thy kingdom forever before thee, even thy throne shall be [dz]established forever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, Nathan spake thus unto David.
18 ¶ Then King David went in, and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
19 And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God, therefore thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while: but [ea]doth this appertain to [eb]man, O Lord God?
20 And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord God, knowest thy servant.
21 For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things, to make them known unto thy servant.
22 Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God besides thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
23 (AL)And what one people in the earth is like thy people, like Israel? whose God went and redeemed them to himself, that they might be his people, and that he might make him a name, and do for [ec]you great things, and terrible for [ed]thy land, O Lord, even for thy people, whom thou redeemedst to thee out of Egypt, from the [ee]nations, and their gods?
24 For thou hast [ef]ordained to thyself thy people Israel to be thy people forever: and thou Lord art become their God.
25 Now therefore, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and his house, and do as thou hast said.
26 And let thy Name be magnified forever by them that shall say, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel, and let the [eg]house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27 For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed unto thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant [eh]been bold to pray this prayer unto thee.
28 Therefore now, O Lord God, (for thou art God, and thy words be true, and thou hast told this goodness unto thy servant.)
29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast [ei]spoken it: and let the house of thy servant be blessed forever with thy blessing.
8 1 David overcometh the Philistines, and other strange nations, and maketh them tributaries to Israel.
1 After (AM)this now, David smote the Philistines and subdued them, and David took [ej]the bridle of bondage out of the [ek]hand of the Philistines.
2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a cord, and cast them down to the ground: he measured them with [el]two cords to put them to death, and with one full cord to keep them alive: so became the Moabites David’s servants, and brought gifts.
3 ¶ David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to [em]recover his border at the river [en]Euphrates.
4 And David took of them a thousand and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, and David [eo]destroyed all the chariots, but he reserved an hundred chariots of them.
5 ¶ Then came the [ep]Aramites of [eq]Dammesek to succor Hadadezer king of Zobah, but David slew of the Aramites two and twenty thousand men.
6 And David put a garrison in [er]Aram of Dammesek: and the Aramites became servants to David, [es]and brought gifts. And the Lord saved David wheresoever he went.
7 And David took the shields of gold that belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to [et]Jerusalem.
8 And out of Betah, and Berothai (cities of Hadadezer) king David brought exceedingly much brass.
9 ¶ Then Toi king of [eu]Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
10 Therefore Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, [ev]to salute him, and to [ew][ex]rejoice with him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and beaten him (for Hadadezer had war with Toi) who [ey]brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass.
11 And king David dedicated them unto the Lord with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all the nations, which he had subdued:
12 Of [ez]Aram, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob king of Zobah.
13 So David got a name after that he returned, and had slain of the Aramites in the [fa]valley of salt eighteen thousand men.
14 And he put a garrison in Edom: throughout all Edom put he soldiers, and all they of Edom became David’s servants: and the Lord kept David [fb]whithersoever he went.
15 Thus David reigned over all Israel, and executed [fc]judgment and justice unto all his people.
16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was [fd]Recorder.
17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the Priests, and Seraiah the Scribe.
18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [fe]and the [ff]Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief rulers.
9 9 David restoreth all the lands of Saul’s to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan. 10 He appointeth Ziba to see to the profit of his lands.
1 And David said, Is there yet any man left of the house of Saul, that I may show him mercy for [fg]Jonathan’s sake?
2 And there was of the household of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, I thy servant am he.
3 Then the King said, Remaineth there yet none of the house of Saul, on whom I may show the [fh]mercy of God? Ziba then answered the King, Jonathan hath yet a son (AN)lame of his feet.
4 Then the King said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo Debar.
5 ¶ Then king David sent, and took him out of the house of Machir the son of [fi]Ammiel of Lo Debar.
6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth? And he answered, Behold thy servant.
7 Then David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the [fj]fields of Saul thy father, and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a [fk]dead dog as I am?
9 Then the king called Ziba Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s [fl]son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
10 Thou therefore and [fm]thy sons and thy servants shall till the land for him, and bring in that thy master’s son may have food to eat. And Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread always at my table (now Ziba had fifteen sons, and twenty servants.)
11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do, [fn]that Mephibosheth may eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth also had a young son named Micha, and all that dwelled in the house of Ziba, were servants unto Mephibosheth.
13 And Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table, and was lame on both his feet.
10 4 The messengers of David are villainously entreated of the king of Ammon. 7 Joab is sent against the Ammonites.
1 After this, the (AO)King of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
2 Then said David, I will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father [fo]showed kindness unto me. And David sent his servants to comfort him for his father. So David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, [fp]Thinkest thou that David doth honor thy father, that he hath sent comforters to thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, [fq]to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?
4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the half of their beard, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 ¶ When it was told unto David, he sent to meet them (for the men were exceedingly ashamed) and the king said, Tarry at Jericho, until your beards be grown, then return.
6 ¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they [fr]stank in the sight of David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the [fs]Aramites of the house of Rehob, and the Aramites of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ish-Tob twelve thousand men.
7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the strong men.
8 And the children of Ammon came out and put their army in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Aramites of [ft]Zoba, and of Rehob, and of Ish-Tob, and of Maacah were by themselves in the field.
9 When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Aramites.
10 And the rest of the people, he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
11 And he said, If the Aramites be stronger than I, thou shalt help me, and if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, I will come and succor thee.
12 Be strong and let us be valiant for [fu]our people, and for the cities of our God, and let the Lord do that which is good in his eyes.
13 Then Joab, and the people that was with him, joined in battle with the Aramites, who fled before him.
14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Aramites fled, they fled also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
15 ¶ And when the Aramites saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered them together.
16 And [fv]Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Aramites that were beyond the [fw]River: and they came to Helam, and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadadezer went before them.
17 When it was showed David, then he gathered [fx]all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam: and the Aramites set themselves in array against David, and fought with him:
18 And the Aramites fled before Israel: and David destroyed [fy]seven hundred chariots of the Aramites, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of his host, who died there.
19 And when all the kings, that were servants to Hadadezer, saw that they fell before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. and the Aramites feared to help the children of Ammon anymore.
11 1 The city Rabbah is besieged. 4 David committeth adultery. 17 Uriah is slain. 27 David marrieth Bathsheba.
1 And when the year was [fz]expired in the time when kings go forth to battle, David sent (AP)Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel, who destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah: but David remained in Jerusalem.
2 And when it was evening-tide, David arose out of his [ga]bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s palace: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself: and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and inquired what woman it was: and one said, Is not this Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam, wife to Uriah the [gb]Hittite?
4 Then David sent messengers, and took her away: and she came unto him and he lay with her: (now she was (AQ)purified from her uncleanness) and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived: therefore she sent and [gc]told David, and said, I am with child.
6 ¶ Then David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David.
7 And when Uriah came unto him, David demanded him how Joab did, and how the people fared, and how the war prospered.
8 Afterward David said to Uriah, [gd]Go down to thine house, and wash thy feet. So Uriah departed out of the king’s palace, and the king sent a present after him.
9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s palace with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house.
10 Then they told David, saying, Uriah went not down to his house: and David said unto Uriah, Comest thou not from thy journey? why didst thou not go down to thine house?
11 Then Uriah answered David, [ge]The Ark and Israel, and Judah dwell in tents: and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord abide in the open fields: shall I then go into mine house to eat and drink, and lie with my wife? by thy life, and by the life of thy soul, I will not do this thing.
12 Then David said unto Uriah, Tarry yet this day, and tomorrow I will send thee away. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow.
13 Then David called him, and he did eat and drink before him, and he made him [gf]drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his couch with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.
14 And on the morrow David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.
15 And he wrote [gg]thus in the letter, [gh]Put ye Uriah in the forefront of the strength of the battle, and recule ye back from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
16 ¶ So when Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah unto a place, where he knew that strong men were.
17 And the men of the city came out, and fought with Joab: and there fell of the people of the servants of David, and Uriah the Hittite also died.
18 Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war.
19 ¶ And he charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling all the matters of the war unto the King,
20 [gi]And if the king’s anger arise, so that he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye unto the city to fight? knew ye not that they would hurl from the wall?
21 Who smote Abimelech son of [gj]Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, and he died in Thebez? why went you nigh the wall? Then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.
22 So the messenger went, and came and showed David all that Joab had sent him for.
23 And the messenger said unto David, Certainly the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, but we [gk]pursued them unto the entering of the gate.
24 But the shooters shot from the wall against thy servants, and some of the king’s servants be dead: and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.
25 Then David said unto the messenger, [gl]Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing trouble thee: for the sword devoureth [gm]one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and destroy it, and encourage thou him.
26 ¶ And when the wife of Uriah heard that her husband Uriah was dead, she mourned for her husband.
27 So when the mourning was past, David sent and took her into his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son: but the thing that David had done, [gn]displeased the Lord.
12 1 David reproved by Nathan, confesseth his sin. 18 The child conceived in adultery, dieth. 24 Solomon is born. 30 Rabbah is taken. 31 The citizens are grievously punished.
1 Then the Lord sent [go]Nathan unto David, who came to him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city, the one rich, and the other poor.
2 The rich man had exceedingly many sheep and oxen:
3 But the poor had none at all, save one little sheep which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up with him, and with his children also, and did eat of his own morsels, and drank of his own cup, and slept in his bosom, and was unto him as his daughter.
4 Now there came a [gp]stranger unto the rich man, who [gq]refused to take of his own sheep, and of his own oxen to dress for the stranger that was come unto him, but took the poor man’s sheep, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.
5 Then [gr]David was exceedingly wroth with the man, and said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing, [gs]shall surely die,
6 And he shall restore the lamb (AR)fourfold, because he did this thing, and had no pity thereof.
7 Then Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I (AS)anointed thee King over Israel, and delivered thee out of the hand of Saul.
8 And gave thee thy lord’s [gt]house, and thy lord’s [gu]wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel, and of Judah, and would moreover (if that had been too little) have given thee [gv]such and such things.
9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the [gw]children of Ammon.
10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house, because thou hast despised me, and taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.